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3SI introduces BriefNet at AMS Exhibit in San Diego (January 2005)

3SI attended the American Meteorological Society's Annual Meeting in San Diego, California during January 9 -13, 2005. At the Annual Meeting, 3SI introduced its new BriefNet system for automatic product generation and pilot briefing.  BriefNet is a self-contained production machine.  The system uses raw data input, schedules the production of finished products, then makes those products available to web users.  BriefNet is delivered with its own browser to view finished weather products.

Pilot briefing capability is included to assemble finished products and text bulletins into pilot folders.

With strategic partner Global Science & Technology (GST), 3SI demonstrated BriefNet and the METLAB family of products including METLAB 2 (multi-window system) and WAFS-MetLab, which comprises the backbone of the International Satellite Communication System (ISCS) for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Paul Heppner (3SI) and Gene Shaffer (GST) made an oral presentation at the Interactive Information and Processing Systems (IIPS) conference with a paper entitled “Modernizing Workstation Technology for the ISCS.”  The paper can be found in the AMS Conference Preprints. A copy can be downloaded from the 3SI website.

 

3SI emphasizes a complete workstation with METLAB2

At the AMS 2005 Annual Meeting in San Diego, 3SI began a campaign to emphasize the full functionality found in the METLAB2 workstation.  More than just a visualization station, METLAB2 is very robust system for communication and product manipulation, as needed by forecasters and aviation specialists in their daily operations.  METLAB 2 is particularly strong in the following areas:

  • Integrated Display

    • METLAB2 processes and visualizes multiple, diverse data streams and vendor imagery.  The system is compliant for World Area Forecast System (WAFS) data requirements, as well as other types including the Global Telecommunication System (GTS) and Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication System (AFTN).

  • Remote Sensing

    • METLAB2 interfaces different sources of remote sensing, including automated weather observing stations and wind profile networks.

  • Alerts and Alarms

    • METLAB2 has many powerful alert and alarm capabilities, including the following:

    Alert by product type

    When a certain product or bulletin is received, the system provides a visual alert (dialog box). This feature is particularly useful for warning bulletins that may be received for dangerous weather (hurricane, tsunami, etc.)

    Alert by parameter threshold

    The system alerts the users when synoptic conditions exceed user-specified values. This is extremely useful when monitoring conditions in a given geographical area.  The system can also be configured to present a pop-up visual alert when a special product (i.e., radar hail product) is received.

    Bulletin AutoPrint

    METLAB2 also includes an AutoPrint (i.e., alarm print) capability, whereby a bulletin is automatically sent to a printer upon receipt from the data source.

  • Automatic Window Updates

    • METLAB2 includes automatic updates to the display contents of the windows. This auto update feature is extremely useful for station model plots and flight condition displays, particularly for those users who need to brief pilots or others based on a quick scan of the latest conditions.  Queries are automatically made to the database on a regular basis, so that the user has the latest information displayed without need for manual updates. 

  • Flexible Window Configurations

    • The hallmark signature of METLAB2 is its flexible window configuration.  With the switch of a toggle, the user can quickly divide the view-space from one-window, two-window, four-window mode, etc.

    Users can also set up multiple window sets for various tasks or briefings. All window setups can be saved (and loaded) from pull-down User Profile selections.  The user can switch from one mode of work to another. METLAB2 automatically populates the windows with product, per the profile selected.

  • Product Manipulation (graphical editing)

    • METLAB2 includes tools to manipulate and edit product. In addition to a standard drawing toolkit to draw fronts, etc., the user can adjust the shape or position of model contours.

    Graphical editing tools are available for those who need to modify the model output grid values, so as to generate other final products (Time Series, etc.).

  • Macro Scripts

    • METLAB2 has a powerful macro scripting facility, so as to quickly access complex overlay products with just a single mouse click!!

    Additional information on these capabilities can be found in Products  METLAB2.

 

WAFS-MetLab is ICAO compliant with SADIS (WAFS)

During spring 2004, the United Kingdom Meteorological Office (UKMO) evaluated WAFS-MetLab against a set of criteria for ICAO compliance, per data received from the Satellite Distribution System (SADIS), which is part of WAFS.  WAFS-MetLab was given a ‘compliant’ rating by UKMO, meaning that the workstation fulfills the ICAO requirements.  As part of this compliance, WAFS-MetLab creates Wind-Temperature products from GRIB model data and Significant Weather Charts from BUFR data, both of which are necessary replacement products for those that will be terminated on the T4 (DIFAX) feed in mid-2005. This compliance from UKMO capped a period of significant development of a SigWx BUFR module for WAFS-MetLab. The SigWx BUFR module is capable of processing SigWx BUFR data files from either London or Washington.

3SI: Strong leader of SigWx BUFR visualization

3SI is at the leading edge of data visualization.  The company is one of a few worldwide with strong expertise with SigWx BUFR visualization.  During spring 2004, as 3SI interacted with UKMO and the Aviation Weather Center (AWC), the 3SI team tested, uncovered, and presented several issues to the BUFR developers at both centers. The 3SI team strives not only to improve upon the METLAB visualization product, but to improve upon the BUFR format by which data, such as SigWx, is presented.  The collaboration with UKMO and AWC proved very beneficial to all parties.

3SI and GST install WAFS-MetLab in Vanuatu and Indonesia

During autumn 2004, WAFS-MetLab was installed by GST and 3SI in the Pacific at Vanuatu.  Then in Winter 2005, WAFS-Metlab was installed at the Indonesia Air Force (IAF) in Jakarta, Indonesia. WAFS-MetLab processes and visualizes World Area Forecast System (WAFS) data.

WAFS-MetLab is produced in conjunction and collaboration with Global Science & Technology (GST), who developed communication front-end software and is a 3SI strategic partner. WAFS-MetLab processes and visualizes WAFS data, including alphanumeric, T4 charts, BUFR data and numerical model data at these Pacific locations, as received from the Pacific satellite of the ISCS.